Bush says NATO to be united in war on terrorism

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Bush says NATO to be united in war on terrorism

President George W. Bush said Monday the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still relevant following the end of the Cold War and will remain united in the war against a new enemy - terrorism.

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President George W. Bush said Monday the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still relevant following the end of the Cold War and will remain united in the war against a new enemy - terrorism.

Bush made the remarks when welcoming prime ministers of seven new NATO members at a ceremony held in the White House.

Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia officially became NATO members after their leaders deposited "instruments of accession" to the founding treaty at another ceremony held at the US Treasury earlier Monday.

"Today marks a great achievement for each of the nations joining our alliance," Bush said. "All member nations must be willing and able to contribute to the common defense of our alliance."

He stressed that NATO's core mission remains the same -- the defense of its members against any aggression.

"Today our alliance faces a new enemy which has brought death to innocent people from New York to Madrid. Terrorists hate everything this alliance stands for," he said.

"They fear our unity. They seek to divide us. They will fail. We will not be divided," the US president vowed.

Bush said that the United States supports efforts by Albania, Croatia and Macedonia to join NATO, saying that the door to NATO will remain open until the whole of Europe is united.

With the addition of the seven East European countries, the number of NATO members has increased from 19 to 26. Prime ministers of another NATO aspirants -- Albania, Croatia and Macedonia -- were also present at the White House ceremony.

Source: Xinhua

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